Lewis telethon to help Gustav victims

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- The annual Muscular Dystrophy fundraising telethon will ask viewers to help victims of Hurricane Gustav, host Jerry Lewis said Sunday in Las Vegas.

Lewis, the Muscular Dystrophy Association national chairman, said in a news release he would use the annual Labor Day telethon to encourage families registered with MDA who are being evacuated from their homes to seek out MDA services when they reach shelters or other destinations. MDA said it has almost 5,000 registered families in the areas affected by the Gulf Coast evacuation.

Lewis said he will ask viewers of the 43rd Annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon not only to donate to the telethon, but also to give to the Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services, the statement said.

The nationally televised fundraiser was to begin at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas.

Lewis will be joined by anchor Ed McMahon and a roster of co-hosts including Tom Bergeron, Norm Crosby, Billy Gilman and Tony Orlando.

Celine Dion, Kid Rock, Sugarland, Ludacris, Reba McEntire and Joshua Bell were among the entertainers scheduled to perform.